Photoelectric Liquid Level Sensor - Gravity Series

There are many difference occasions, whether using Electronics or going the classic mechanical method, that a Maker would need to measure the capacity of a tank of fluid, whether it be for a vehicle’s fuel tank, for an aquarium or pool, or even for more exotic projects like brewing and chemistry. Fortunately, nowadays we have loads of different options available to us, and with so many cool Sensor Modules that are now more accessible than ever before, we don’t even need to rely on mechanical measurements, and we can do it all remotely with electronics, with the option of even including Wireless Communications if that best caters to our applications.

This Photoelectric Liquid Level Sensor is a Gravity Series module from DFRobot that is designed to use light to detect a precise level of a fluid, whether in a tank or out in the open, and due to the light-based operation, this sensor is capable of surprisingly high levels of accuracy. The Gravity Series standard that it incorporates means that it is really easy to use in conjunction with a microcontroller like an Arduino Board, with a simple VCC/SIGNAL/GND interface that is featured on the handy little breakout board that’s included. Although this sensor is rather basic in it’s design, acting more like an on/off switch than a level sensor, it is great for applications like refill operations to top up fluids, indicators to let users know when a certain level is reached, or to shut off a valve or tap once a certain level is reached, its simplicity is really where it shines, as there are no moving parts, and that means less wear and tear, and good accuracy throughout a long lifespan.

Please Note: This sensor is light based, and as such you may need to avoid direct or strong indirect sunlight and other light sources while in operation. However, that’s not usually a problem for remote liquid level sensing operations, and if necessary you can also create enclosures or light blockers to help if you’re struggling with false signals.

Additional Resources:

• For more insights, information and some sample code to get you started, visit the DFRobot Photoelectric Liquid Level Sensor Wiki Page.

As self-proclaimed “Robo-holics”, DFRobot is a company comprised of over 100 staff members, of which 30% are engineers who love to build robots. It was started in 2008 with the goal of embracing and promoting open-source hardware, with a core focus on Arduino, Raspberry Pi and their very own LattePanda development boards. Since then, DFRobot have manufactured over 1300 unique modules, sensors and components that all work together and complement each other, allowing users like us to enjoy a full spectrum of cutting edge robotics and electronics without having to pay premium prices.

With the primary goal of developing and manufacturing great quality products, while making them accessible to as many people as possible, DFRobot are rapidly becoming one of the most common-place brands in the world of open-source robotics and electronics. With more than 1300 products developed in-house, and an impressive range of different categories and specialisations, there are few brands in the world who can compete in terms of quality, accessibility and genuine innovation.